Today in Soap Opera History (January 16)

"The present contains nothing more than the past, and what is found in the effect is already in the cause."
― Henri Louis Bergson

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1958: On The Edge of Night, Mike Karr (John Larkin) warned Toni Fescina of the danger if she tried to get hush money from Roy Benson.

1967: On Dark Shadows, Sam Evans (David Ford) woke up and tried to put out the fire, burning his hands in the process. Maggie Evans (Kathryn Leigh Scott ) came in and put the fire out, as Sam frantically claimed that Laura Collins (Diana Millay) burned his hands. Roger (Louis Edmonds) believed booze to be the culprit in Sam's accident. Sam accused Laura of causing it to happen. Roger Collins decided to destroy the new painting but found it had already been burnt. Sam was shocked as the fire wasn't anywhere near the painting.

1967: On Peyton Place, Rachel Welles (Leigh Taylor-Young) accepted an offer to stay at the home of Constance Mackenzie (Dorothy Malone) and Elliot Carson (Tim O'Connor).

1992: On Days of our Lives, Carrie Brady (Tracy Middendorf) told her father, Roman (Wayne Northrop), that she had decided to leave Salem.

1998: On The Young and the Restless, Phyllis Summers Romalotti (Sandra Nelson) broke down in the courthouse after losing custody of her son, Daniel, with only her attorney, Michael Baldwin (Christian LeBlanc), left to comfort her.

Thanks to FoxCrane for sending in the item above.

2008: After departing in 2005, Rebecca Budig returned as Greenlee Smythe on All My Children.